"Nick Pollotta - Bureau 13 - Judgment-Night" - читать интересную книгу автора (Pollotta Nick)

was quite large enough to carry the whole gang. What's
more, the CB radio was in working order, gas tanks full, with
a spare ten-gallon gas can strapped to the rear bumper,
courtesy of the diligent Ms. Jennings, and a compass in the
glove compartment. As a standard precaution, we pasted
some mud onto the license plate and peeled off a window
sticker to hinder identification. When satisfied, I had the team
pile into the jeep with our meager possessions and took off
for the village. Once again, I wished that we had been able to
drive our van to this cabin, but the heavy armored vehicle
never would have made it over some of the dinky bridges
44
 Judgement Night: Bureau 13 Book 1
by Nick Pollotta


spanning the river that fed the mountain lake. Its imposing
weight was the only flaw in our mobile command center.
The designated cook for this trip, I took the passenger
seat, and dutifully started assembling sandwiches from a
hamper on my lap. As each was finished, I passed them
about. Everybody ate quickly, the food merely fuel, as they
scanned the skies for trouble. It was a gorgeous morning,
despite the faint smell of smoke tinting the atmosphere. The
lush trees lining the road were emerald green and the sky the
kind of blue you never see in a city. The road could have used
some work though, being little more than a dirt path with rain
gullies. But soon we bounced our way to a much smoother
gravel road and started making decent time.
Between bites, we discussed the obvious security leak that
had occurred for an enemy to find us, and exactly whose butt
was going to get kicked about the matter. Suddenly, with a
squeal of brakes the jeep jerked to a halt. Standing in the
middle of the road, was a huge furry creature sharpening its
claws on the rough surface.
In a practiced motion, Mindy pulled a butcher knife from
her shoulder belt and expertly weighed the weapon in a palm.
тАЬOkay, what is it?тАЭ she asked. тАЬResembles a bear.тАЭ
тАЬJust a grizzly bear,тАЭ I said, adjusting my Bureau
sunglasses.
Relief was almost palpable. тАЬJust a bear? Nothing more?тАЭ
тАЬJust a bear.тАЭ
Richard nodded. тАЬFine.тАЭ With a gesture, a duplicate of the
mage stepped through the jeep and advanced upon the
animal, the image growing in size with every step.
45
 Judgement Night: Bureau 13 Book 1
by Nick Pollotta